We recently connected with Sadithi De Zilva and have shared our conversation below.
Sadithi , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I think every project I’ve worked on has had some sort of emotional tug on me for one reason or another, but most recently, I had the privilege of co-directing a short film called Sight. It was the second project produced by the company I co-founded, Scrappack Productions, and it became one of the most meaningful experiences of my creative journey.
When we first received the script, we immediately recognized its potential to be something extraordinary. Sight is a zombie film, but it’s far from the typical action-packed, survival-driven narrative. At its core, it’s an intimate story about Myles, a man struggling to find a pair of glasses as his eyesight deteriorates in the middle of a post-apocalyptic world. What begins as a seemingly simple quest transforms into something much deeper: Myles discovers community, love, and a renewed sense of purpose along the way.
Amy Fess, the brilliant writer behind the script, managed to infuse an incredible amount of heart, substance, and depth into less than 25 pages. I was struck by her ability to humanize the zombie genre, crafting a story that felt raw, honest, and achingly relatable. Her writing wasn’t just about the external journey of survival but the internal battles we all face—loneliness, vulnerability, and the longing for connection. As soon as I read it, I was desperate to be part of bringing this story to life.
Co-directing Sight was meaningful not only because of the story but also because of what it represented for Scrappack Productions. As a fledgling company, this project challenged us to push our creative and logistical boundaries. We filmed across two distinct locations—Binghamton and New Jersey—coordinating a small but mighty crew, extras, and lead actors across tight schedules. It was an exercise in collaboration, adaptability, and resourcefulness, and it reminded me why I love filmmaking: it’s not just about telling stories but about building trust and community with those who help you tell them.
On a personal level, Sight reminded me of the power of empathy in storytelling. Myles’ quest for something as simple as a pair of glasses is symbolic of the small but essential things we fight for in our lives, even during moments of despair. His story is a reminder that purpose and connection can be found even in the bleakest circumstances—a theme that resonates deeply with me as a storyteller and as a person.
This project also marked an important milestone for Scrappack Productions. It was crowdfunded entirely by people who believed in us and our vision, which added another layer of emotional weight to the process. Knowing that we were creating something backed by the trust and generosity of others made us all the more determined to deliver something truly special.
Ultimately, Sight was more than just a short film; it was a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling, the resilience of independent filmmaking, and the human capacity for hope and connection—even when the world feels like it’s falling apart. This project will always hold a special place in my heart, not just for the story it told but for the experience it gave me and the lessons it taught us as a team.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Scrappack Productions is a passion project turned full-fledged independent production company, co-founded by Madeleine Coronato and Sadithi De Zilva (me). We are both graduates of Pace University’s theater program, where we honed our craft and developed a shared vision for storytelling that is bold, innovative, and emotionally resonant. Between us, we’ve gained extensive on-set experience, including theater and film production, which laid the groundwork for Scrappack.
Our journey into this industry was fueled by a deep love for storytelling and the power of visual media to connect people. My early experience with the BRAVO program in Hong Kong and studies at LAMDA, combined with Madeline’s hands-on work in production, gave us the confidence and skill set to bring stories to life. After countless hours of crew work and navigating the indie film scene, we decided to take the leap and create something that truly reflected our unique vision.
Scrappack Productions has brought two unique short films to life. Our debut project, Just One More Thing, directed by Cat Yudain, delves into themes of self-sabotage, friendship, and personal growth with a dash of humor and poignancy. This incredibly fulfilling project reflects our commitment to tackling relatable, human stories. Our latest work, Sight, is a gripping zombie thriller exploring survival and resilience in a post-apocalyptic setting. Both projects highlight our dedication to crafting emotionally resonant, innovative films that stand out in the indie landscape.
What sets us apart is our commitment to quality storytelling and community. We believe in fostering a creative environment where collaboration is key, and everyone’s voice is valued. We’re proud to say that we crowdfunded our recent projects with the support of an incredible community that trusted us to deliver. That trust and engagement drive us to continually raise the bar for ourselves and our work.
The thing we’re most proud of is the trust we’ve built with our community and collaborators. Successfully crowdfunding our films in a competitive indie landscape was a massive milestone that reinforced our belief in the power of authentic storytelling. Beyond that, we’re proud of creating a space for female-founded and led productions, proving that diverse voices can and should be at the forefront of this industry.
If there’s one thing we want people to know about Scrappack Productions, it’s that we’re not just making films—we’re building connections through stories. Whether you’re a viewer, collaborator, or industry professional, we invite you to join us on this journey of bringing bold, unique stories to the screen.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Cringe is good. People who are just as passionate as you will never think it’s awkward or weird to create the things you want to make. Passion is sexy and I wish I had started earlier!
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
Honestly- my biggest resource has been other people. Building a community of mentors and business entrepreneurs that I could turn to whenever I was stuck or scared has been invaluable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.scrappackproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadithidez/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadithi-de-zilva-086540323/
